Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

2 Corinthians 4:18, “because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary but what cannot be seen is eternal.”

For over twenty-five years I woke daily to a lone almond tree outside my window. One by one the other trees from a remnant grove had ceased to grow. Each spring I anxiously watched for tiny nodules to see if its life continued through the winter—to see if once again blossoms would rain a pink and white carpet on my lawn.

 By summer’s end a wild breeze would blow through the almond tree and every so often dislodge a leaf.  Gradually a skeleton of branches became clearer as the outer green coat dropped off slowly. Soon it became bare, ready to face winter. Twisted brown limbs stark against the sky.

One day it will cease. One day our physical bodies will stop too. But in Christ we will awaken to eternity. His words encourage us not to lose heart, “though our outer man is decaying…light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison.”

What is the weight of glory? We can’t see it, hold it or identify it. But it grows everyday—through summer, fall, winter and spring shaping us into His unique image. If we are willing to accept all the seasons. To let sin and selfishness drop away leaving us visible—vulnerable.  Willing to let our outer layers be pealed off one by one. Willing to be rooted in faith that grows repeatedly.

Lord, during seasons when everything seems so perfect it’s easy for my faith to remain constant.  Please keep me close, Lord, during the winter season as well, when I recognize there is nothing left except You, and You alone remain.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 40: 2

“He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay;

And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm.”